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Foot soldiers sans frills

The kicks were feeble and passes went astray. But their passion to excel in the game was palpable, says J. R. SHRIDHARAN

PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

FLEET-FOOTED More than expertise, the killer instinct and the spirit to conquer matter the most

The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.

This philosophical reference by an unknown football aficionado brings to fore the message offered by the world's most popular game to mankind. This point was put to public glare both at Germany and in Vijayawada by the die-hard footballers in a befitting manner.

The M&M-sponsored Vijayawada Football Cup organised by District Sports Authority and Krishna District Football Association has come as a God sent boon to youngsters to showcase their skills and temperament.

Although the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium and the Satynarayanapuram Railway Grounds, the venues for `FIFA Vijayawada Cup', did not witness a surging crowd of football fans with painted faces, placards, national flags or banners, but the players' determination to give their best shot was evident among the city footballers.

Barring some, a majority of the children looked under-nourished, bereft of well-pruned upper and lower body. Some tackled the leather without shoes and were found lacking in the all-important speed. But what impressed the game's administrators and the motley spectators was the sincerity with which the youngsters played the game.

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The organisers, using innovation to perfection, transformed the tournament into more spectator-friendly by naming each school after the teams participating in the FIFA World Cup - 2006.

Aling, a Manipuri boy studying at K.C.P Siddhartha Adarsh Residential School, stepped into the shoes of a Brazilian player for a week and so did young K. Durga Prasad, who, for a few days, transformed himself into a `citizen' of Deutschland (Germany).

Anjee, Sk. Riyaz, M. Mohan Rao and M. Durga Rao, boys from Care and Share at Buddhavaram, beamed as their `Italian' team entered the finals, both in Vijayawada and at Germany. "I am so happy. Our original versions have also entered the final round in the World Cup," said a beaming Anjee.

"How come players representing Argentina, Brazil, Ghana, France and other countries speak chaste Telugu?" commented a spectator sending the audience into peels of laughter. A sense of pride engulfed the little boys who took part in the tournament representing different countries, which, many may not have even seen in an atlas book.

Says District Sports Development Officer B. Sudhakar: "I am thrilled and overwhelmed at the response. This tourney has helped both DSA and Krishna District Football Association to identify talented youngsters who can be groomed for future challenges. Players from schools like Care and Share, K.C.P. Siddhartha Adarsh Public School (Kanuru), Don Bosco (Guntupalli) and VAM High School have the wherewithal to emerge as champion material," he felt.

Gifted players

However, the most satisfied man at IGMC stadium was the SAAP football coach Pandu because the tournament brought to light a few gifted players like Laxman, M. Mohan Kumar and Ramu. "More than half-a-dozen players can walk into Krishna District rural team. They should improve their fitness level to graduate to the senior level," he said.

He also felt that the players moved in haste rather than concentrating on swift movements. "Speed is when you play quickly and put moves together in a co-ordinated way. Players need to keep hold of the ball more. They will all learn these techniques once they practice the game in a scientific manner," Pandu opined.

The Vijayawada Football Cup would conclude on Saturday in a befitting manner. Once the players remove the jerseys representing alien countries, reality would stare them on their face reminding them of the bitter truth that India needs to go a long way in the world of football.

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